WITH less than 45 days to go before the controversial cuts in bus subsidies come into effect, East Hampshire district councillors are backing a last-ditch fight by passengers to save services. They are particularly concerned about the loss of some buses on the 38 (Liss Forest to Portsmouth), 67 (Petersfield to Winchester), and 72 (Alton to Petersfield) route. Concern is also rife about the loss of some services on the 18 bus serving Headley Down. At a meeting of the full council last Wednesday, community portfolio holder Hilary Ayer said she had asked for a meeting with Mel Kendal, Hampshire County Council's environment portfolio polder and the man responsible for axing bus subsidies. She said: "I have written to Mr Kendal and I have highlighted that the county has, in the past, stated that factors such as social inclusion should be considered when supporting hs services. "The removal of the bus services after 6.15pm on the Heatherlands Estate will, in particular, cause access problems to residents. This point has been reinforced in our work in citizenship lessons at Mill Chase Secondary School." Bordon Whitehill Lib Dem councillor Adam Carew asked fellow councillors to consider meeting the shortfall left to provide funding for the threatened services so that they could be saved. Mrs Ayer said the timing of the subsidy cut from the county council couldn't have been worse for East Hampshire District Council. "We have appointed an officer, who is not yet in post, to look at transport throughout East Hampshire, not dreaming up bus routes for the county to pay for, but hopefully looking at using community transport more effectively." She said the bus service from Petersfield to Queen Alexandra Hospital (in Cosham) would be examined in particular. But she said one piece of good news was that if Petersfield passengers changed in Waterlooville to the 37 service to access the hospital it would take them right into the hospital grounds. They would no longer have to cross the busy road to get to their hospital appointments. She stressed: "If there is one service we can save, it might be the 18 bus that serves the most deprived area in this district." John Smith told the meeting he didn't believe Hampshire County Council or the bus companies were trying very hard to make services work. "Whenever you see buses in a rural area they tend to be scabby old ones, sent from the city to graze in the countryside. We see headlines saying it is difficult to make these services economic and feasible, but these buses are doing five miles to the gallon and barely anyone on them." With mounting signatures on the petition to save the Petersfield area services, Herald reporter Richie Troughton took to the bus to talk to people who will be affected by the cuts. It is clear that the 67 bus is still a popular service and the cuts have wide-ranging effects, not just for those who live in the town, but as a detrimental factor for those who regularly come from places like Winchester to do their weekly shopping. Despite Petersfield being popular with shoppers from out of town, bus cuts would leave many questioning their alternatives. Many pensioners without cars view the cuts as taking away their freedom to get around as and when they please in order to go about their daily business. "It's wrecked my little life," said one passenger, who wished to remain anonymous. It seems it will not only be the elderly who are set to be affected as The Herald noticed students from Winchester Art College travelling on the service, who would also be hit if cuts meant they would have to travel earlier to get in on time for lectures. Gabby Donelly, from Winchester, would no longer visit Petersfield if the 9.50am service was cut as she would not be able to catch the earlier service, due to needing a feeder bus. She said: "The 8.50am is too early and the 10.50am too late as you don't get in until lunchtime. Without the 9.50am bus, I wouldn't come to Petersfield. "The last bus back is quite early and it is very difficult to avoid school buses. If you don't get into Petersfield until lunchtime then you have to come back with the kids." She added: "If the cuts come in they won't be seeing me again as there are other places I can go. With all these changes it would be cheaper to drive a car." This view saddened fellow passenger Anne Humphrey, of Ramsdean: "I find it completely depressing, everybody loves Petersfield. "I don't drive and I never have, so I use the bus regularly. Most people in our area prefer Petersfield, as it's more friendly than other places." Another passenger highlighted the importance of the petitions, and warned it was not just current bus passengers who should be worried about losing the services. "It is not just bus passengers who should sign the petition," said the anonymous traveller. "Everyone will be old some day and might need buses." Passengers travelling from Petersfield were tired of all the "chopping and changing all the time" and were frustrated at Hampshire County Council for picking on bus users as a means to lower their budget. One passenger, who did not wish to be named, said: "They want to cut costs and it's the easiest way to do it. We have got no comeback and I am not one to shout. "The council took a gamble hoping Stagecoach would pay the difference. What a cheek. The pensioners have no come back." Lack of available timetables was also cited as a problem by the passengers, now forced to make changes on their journeys due to the changes. "They're cutting out the connections," one passenger said. "If you have have got to get a change how are you supposed to know." Another added: "What if I want to come back on a bus from the countryside but I can't find a route." Passengers said that the cuts meant either catching an earlier bus in the cold would make the later service much busier. One passenger said: "Who wants to go out on a freezing cold morning? There will be a bad temper on the 11.50am as it will be so full up." Another added: "Cuts make life that bit more awkward, like having to get on an earlier bus on a cold and frosty morning because the later one no longer exists." Passengers felt the changes were encouraging people to get around by other means. One passenger said: "People are forced to buy cars, but who wants to drive a car? I gave my car up two- and-a-half years ago and was so thrilled with the buses. I don't think I could afford a car now. They'd better not put me back on the road, it would be very dangerous." Lack of a through service to a hospital was also a big concern. One said: "It's very bad for people who have to get to hospital. "We are lucky as we are able, but imagine those with walking sticks, or who are blind. How will they get around?" l The petition to save the buses is still available to sign in the Petersfield Herald office, at High Street, Petersfield.